Lose the Temptations, Lose the Weight

By Donna Stark

You’ve been working so hard and are finally starting to see the gains. Maybe you began this weight loss journey a few months ago, or maybe you’re still a newbie and are only a few weeks in, but whatever the case may be, the hard work is finally starting to pay off. It’s a great feeling, but it’s usually at this point that we become more lax with our discipline. Someone offers you a piece of dessert and you think to yourself, “I deserve it, I’ve come this far … I lost the 10 pounds.” Or that butter-laden popcorn at the movie theater is screaming your name a little extra loudly. It’s OK to give in to a treat here and there, after all, weight loss should not be torturous, but it’s also important to maintain some sense of willpower.

Remembering Your Initial Reasons

It’s only a matter of time before we drop our guard and fall victim to what we have been so carefully avoiding … the dreaded temptation. So, if willpower has wilted away and you find yourself struggling, remember your initial reasons for starting this journey and take a look at the following tips.

• Remove temptations - Ever hear of that saying “out of sight, out of mind?” Sure, you can always jump in the car to grab some takeout, but you will be less likely to eat poorly if you keep your home stocked with healthy whole foods. Also, if you don’t buy it, you won’t eat it. Keep the bags of chips and gallons of ice cream at the store.
• Eat balanced meals - Create a diet that is balanced with nutrition (protein, heart-healthy fats, carbs, and fiber) and packed with fruits and veggies. Having a healthy relationship with food will help you manage your cravings and maintain your sense of willpower.
• Choose alternatives - Cravings are real and so is the desire to have something sweet, salty, decadent … unhealthy. We want these items, but our bodies certainly do not need them, so choose healthy alternatives that will actually add nutrition to your diet instead of just adding empty calories.

Finding success by reaching your initial goal can be very empowering, but sometimes that isn’t enough. The hard work may need to continue after reaching that first goal and motivating yourself on a regular basis to maintain it is one of the main factors that will help you achieve long-lasting change. Remember why you started. Remember what was important to you. And then resolve to fight against all of the temptations that are there to steer you off the path of good health and stay focused on accomplishing everything you set out to do.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lakewood, Colo.